The Best Small Towns in Northern California to Chill Out
Northern California is a land of contrasts, from vibrant global hubs to historical towns, seaside resorts, and charming fishing villages. The wild nature encompasses rugged coastlines, 14-er mountains, wine country, and dominating redwood forests. Attain your chill vibes in the northern portion of the Golden State any way you like with these towns surrounded by natural playgrounds.
Seek chill vibes over a glass of the region's finest, chill on a clifftop overlooking the seascape, or enjoy a beach cookout with modern amenities at hand. The moody, fog-shrouded NorCal beaches are a dream for surfers and photographers. NorCal is easier to get around, so come enjoy the unreplicable atmosphere on a summertime coastal road trip or head to the mountains in the winter for your favorite snow pursuits.
Aptos
This quaint town, home to the historic Aptos Village, is your gateway to chillaxing at the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Hikers, runners, and mountain bikers rejoice in the 30 miles of trails amid mill remnants and rail traces. The 10,000-acre park with second-growth redwoods is refreshingly scenic for a hike, especially under the fall foliage cover. Have a hoot exploring Aptos' new pedestrian-friendly town center with artisan ice cream, independent shops, small-batch coffee makers, and destination eateries. Mingle with locals at Seacliff State Beach, with barbecue grills and shaded tables along the sand for a chill cookout by the water.
The mile-long seaside paved path along the ocean features cool embedded fossils of extinct marine creatures in the bluffs. "The Cement Ship" at the end of the fishing pier, an experimental tanker from the end of World War I, creates an artificial reef for marine life seekers. While you are here, check out the Rio Del Mar State Beach to the left for an evening beachfire with your four-legged friend. Visit Aptos’ "World’s Shortest Parade" on the morning of the Fourth of July when the dog-loving residents and their pets dress up for a march to Aptos Village Park, where live music and fun await everyone.
Arcata
Arcata is a lovely college town that was first named "Union" back in its Gold Rush days as a shipping and supply center for the miners on the Trinity River. Today, this chill destination getaway across the northern stretch of Humboldt Bay from Eureka boasts a laidback downtown area and expansive forests. Witness Arcata's distinct character in the colorful buildings and youthful, artistic, and intellectual feel emanating from the spirited Cal Poly Humboldt that sprawls over the hillside above town. Arcata Plaza, originally built in the mid-1800s, is the social and commercial place to chill out amid lawns and flowers, with delightful shops for local handcrafts of everything you can imagine, chic boutiques, and innovative restaurants.
Visit in time for the cool Kinetic Sculpture Race Starting Point on Memorial Day Weekend or the famous Oyster Festival in June, and don't miss the Pastels on the Plaza in October after the North Country Fair in September. The town is a joy on a stroll along restored Victorian homes, a Saturday farmers market, and the notable Jacoby's Storehouse, a California Historic Landmark. Seek nature at the Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary, with acres of mixed wildlife habitat, quiet trails, and birdwatching. Find miles of beaches and dunes leading to the mouth of the Mad River, or seek our 2,350 acres of Arcata Community Forest and Redwood Park on a hike or bike through majestic redwood trees.
Bolinas
Beautiful Bolinas is a strange little place with many reasons to visit, like a natural world, a foodie's paradise, and a hippie enclave for like-minded free spirits looking for chill vibes. Chill with the birds at the refreshing Bolinas Lagoon, an absolutely beautiful landscape that is an Audubon Important Bird Area. Find a wonderful beach spread to the other side of the lagoon for the chillest summertimes, the famed Stinson Beach.
This reclusive little town keeps a chill facade, but the friendly residents and the always welcoming Coast Cafe will be happy to chat and treat you to a charming fisherman-style seafood dinner. Bolinas is a real rural gem just outside of San Francisco, with many hikes to explore that will immerse you in the small-town charm and rid you of your daily worries here in a place that doesn't like being in the spotlight.
Ferndale
Just imagine yourself at a seaside location with dairy cows along a green pasture in the misty air. Welcome to Humboldt County, with the picturesque town of Ferndale between the California Redwoods and the fabled Lost Coast, a real hidden oasis. This Victorian village brims with spectacular architecture wrapped in small-town charm and enchanting nature all around, along with a friendly crowd of 16,000 locals.
The retro Americana sights and modern-day quirkiness lend the town a fantastic atmosphere to chill out in. Enjoy a fantastic gateway to the Lost Coast, rugged outdoor adventures, and a hopping coastal community feel downtown for one chill weekend to remember. Venture next door to Eureka or the wide plain near the mouth of the Eel River for all your waterside pursuits.
Fort Bragg
What could be more chill than a gorgeous seaside town with incredible nature around for hikes and little cell reception for a get-lost feel? This remote, peaceful town along the beautiful California coast was originally founded as a military garrison and is now a designated California Historical Landmark in its entirety. Visit Fort Bragg for the sweeping views of the Pacific and countless ways to chill out in the refreshing outdoors.
The calm, coastal vibes induce a chill-out atmosphere in everyone, particularly along the famed Glass Beach. Join the locals in lounging and beachcombing for colorful, smooth glass pieces, or hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities all around. Trek along the scenic old-growth redwood groves on the California Western Railroad and recharge on local specials at in-town restaurants or fresh seafood at local markets and restaurants along the Noyo Harbor.
Healdsburg
The town nestled against the cooling Russian River is one of the chillest places in northern Sonoma County. Indulge in refreshing dips and a chilled glass of world-class reds or whites in the evening. Immerse yourself in all the charms of a small, agricultural community with a great choice of amenities and a region-renowned food scene that will make you want to extend your stay to try everything Healdsburg has in store.
Beautiful, historic, and surrounded by green spaces and rising hills, Healdsburg is full of seductive charms and chilling pursuits. Choose from hip boutique hotels or gracious B&Bs and head off on a wine-tasting tour with a vineyard stroll, or enjoy cycling ventures riverside just a short hop from the Russian River Valley.
Los Gatos
The town that may bring alligator visions to mind could not be more charming, some 60 miles south of San Francisco in the shadow of the Sierra Azules. Nestled within the Santa Clara Valley, where it meets the lower slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains, Los Gatos is abounding with natural beauty. The foothills offer a stunning contrast in terrain and the most picturesque backdrop to the town. Oh, and what town could be chillier than the home of Netflix?
Enjoy easy access from the City of San Jose just to the north and east to chill out any way you like, from valley strolls to hiking the densely wooded hillsides or scaling the mounts. Find plentiful waterside recreation for hot summer days in this southwestern portion of Santa Clara County, like creeks, streams, and river banks for a cooling dip. The small town charm encompasses Victorian homes, with the outdoors at the doorstep for hiking and biking.
McCloud
The curious town of McCloud chills out in Northern California’s Shasta Cascade area, emanating cool vibes three-and-a-half hours from Sacramento and some 300 miles northeast of San Francisco. Find the town easily, just 15 minutes off Interstate 5, with around 870 residents, engaging outdoors, a revered remote feel, and dozens of cool things to see and do in town. McClous sits steeped in natural and historic charm as a former lumber town with vestiges of its past amid modern-day attractions.
The dominating volcanic cone of Mount Shasta, at 14,180 feet, is a great backdrop from any point in town and is the real heart and soul of McCloud. There are plenty of ways to chill out outdoors, from relaxing strolls along the through-running Sqaw Valley Creek to summiting the mountain. Hike through the Castle Crags or scale the Trinity Alps. Despite the remote location, McCloud welcomes many tourists each year for the nearby McCloud, Sacramento, and Klamath Rivers, which are teeming with trout.
Pacifica
This chill town with panoramic vistas and over one hundred miles of trails is a mecca of cool. Enjoy hiking, biking, and shoreside horseback riding, or summit Montara Mountain from San Pedro Valley Park for 360-degree panoramic views of the Bay Area and the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day. Venture through the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to Mori Point for views of the stunning, rugged coastline fringing the town, as well as whale watching and spectacular sunset picnics.
Pacifica is made up of several small valleys on the coast between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. It is the most panoramic coastal town in the San Francisco Bay Area, under rocky bluffs headed by sandy miles of beaches with activities ranging from kayaking and paddle boarding to crabbing and a variety of art and cultural events in town. Pacifica boasts expensive beaches all along the coast that sooth your mind, body, and soul for fresh air lounging or strolls under sunshine and softly lapping waters. Its misty, rugged shores are perfect for photography, surfing, and sunbathing, like the captivating Rockaway Beach, with a galore of shops and restaurants nearby.
Tiburon
The small, walkable town of Tiburon by the Bay feels a whole world apart from nearby San Francisco. Find world-class restaurants like the city's and unique shops overlooking the natural beauty and breathtaking views of the bay. Close the distance between the two via a short scenic ferry ride. Tiburon's beaches are lined by parks, like Blackie's Pasture, with a headstart to many trails for strolls, hiking, jogging, and bike rides. You can also take the ferry from the docks to Angel Island State Park to explore the trails with panoramic San Francisco views.
The waterfront town along the sunny slopes is a prime destination to chill out, with fewer than 9,000 residents and a variety of quality activities for every taste. Visit during the Tiburon International Film Festival, Friday Night Races on the Bay, and head for a wine tasting at Windsor Vineyards, or shop your heart out at elegant boutiques lining the Ark Row. The shops along this verdant block-long enclave were once floating arks.
Yountville
The heart of the Napa Valley, with Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning tasting rooms, and world-class art, is the charming little town of Yountville, which encompasses just 1.5 square miles of space. Choose from one of the boutique hotels and pursue incredible nature all around to chill out 24/7 on a weekend escape you will want to extend. Stroll along the peaceful, manicured streets with friendly locals and countless places to sample local wines.
Head on a scenic bike ride through surrounding vineyards, savor regional wines, get pampered at a local spa, or take a hot air balloon ride, a popular activity in town. There are countless places to see art, from galleries to public displays and boutique shops. The town, with its walkability and places like Restoration Hardware Restaurant, effortlessly adjusts to your chill vibes.
The land of contrasts will surprise, astound, and leave the chillest memory of a lifetime. The farm-to-table movement started in NorCal, so gorge on fresh food with local, Italian, Mediterranean, and French-inspired flavors guilt-free. These towns will enrich your chill times after you enjoy a whole vacation or getaway to recharge in revitalizing NorCal. Find a plethora of coastal camping options along the redwood-lined sandy beaches or in unique volcanically active areas.
There is boundless nature to make endless memories, whether you are a lounging chillaxer or a summiting affianado. So go ahead: backpack through the 50,000-acre Redwood National Forest, the incredible Yosemite National Park, or sightsee the Golden Gate Bridge, easily accessible from many of these towns near San Francisco; it is one of the Golden State's most enduring symbols.
